Fri, July 17, 2020

Race 1 - Stewards’ inquiry and Jockey’s objection into the stretch run. Inside the 1/16th pole, #6 Value Engineering (Javier Castellano) comes out several paths in front of #5 Bundibunan (Jose Ortiz), who is forced to take back. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, it was the opinion of the stewards that the incident did affect the outcome of the race. The #6 is disqualified from second and placed third behind #5. The new order of finish is 7-5-6-4.

Following formal film review with the relevant riders, the stewards issued this ruling.

With regard to interference, New York is a “Category 2” state, meaning that Commission rules provide that if the interferer is guilty of causing interference and such interference in the judgment of the Stewards has altered the finish of the race, then the interferer is placed behind the offended horse. The Stewards consider whether the riders of the horse or horses that are offended continue to give effort to the finish of the race. The Stewards also consider whether the offending jockey acted in a willful or careless manner while interfering with another horse or jockey, for which the interferer may be disqualified, i.e., placed last or unplaced in the order of finish. For example, if an offending jockey acts in a dangerous manner, exhibits extremely improper riding or impedes several horses, the Stewards may disqualify the offending horse without regard to the specific effect of the foul on the order of finish.

Race 3 - Stewards’ inquiry, Trainer’s objection, and Jockey’s objection into the stretch run. Inside the 1/8th pole, #1 Universal Payday (Tyler Gaffalione) comes in under a right-handed crop to the #4 The Rock Says (David Cohen), who checks briefly. After reviewing the video and speaking to the riders involved, it was the opinion of the stewards that the incident did not affect the outcome of the race. The race was made official as is 1-4-6-3.

With regard to interference, New York is a “Category 2” state, meaning that Commission rules provide that if the interferer is guilty of causing interference and such interference in the judgment of the Stewards has altered the finish of the race, then the interferer is placed behind the offended horse. The Stewards consider whether the riders of the horse or horses that are offended continue to give effort to the finish of the race. The Stewards also consider whether the offending jockey acted in a willful or careless manner while interfering with another horse or jockey, for which the interferer may be disqualified, i.e., placed last or unplaced in the order of finish. For example, if an offending jockey acts in a dangerous manner, exhibits extremely improper riding or impedes several horses, the Stewards may disqualify the offending horse without regard to the specific effect of the foul on the order of finish.